Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-07-14
Will Not 90 TO ST. Lnnis.

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comment on the Presidents refusal to
accept the invitation to visit st. Louis
this summer.
President Cleveland writes long
plantive letter TO Mayor Francis of st.
Louis announcing that he has determined
to withdraw his acceptance of the invi-
tation to visit that city during the Grand
Army encampment there in September.
In it he poses as the good man griev-
ously misunderstood, but still full of
sweet charity and tender regrets over
the detractions of his enemies.
All the same he manages to get in a
vicious thrust at the G A. r. men by
charging them with hostility to him on
account of ''acts of his involving impor-
tant public interests done under the
restraints and obligations of his OATH"
The President cannot be ignorant OF
the fact that the criticism made upon
him especially by the veterans relate to
his action on the pension bill and his
order for the return of the rebel flags to
what he calls, in an official letter, ''the
governors of Confederate states
Now in regard to the pension bill,
their criticism would be milder, if his
official oath had been as potent to re-
strain him when the bill to pension the
soldiers of the Mexican war, mostly
living in the South, as it was to restrain
him in the pensions of the Union soldi-
ers There is the fatally weak point in
the Presiden S record on the subject of
pensions. He promptly and cheerfully
signed the Mexican bill, which, where
ever it differed at all in principal from
the pension bill he vetoed, differed for
the worse. BY this course he gave just
ground for the charge that he was ready
toapprove bill the main benefits ofwhich
went to men in Southern Democratic
states, while he treated bill, less objec-
tiouable in principle, for the benefit OF
the men who put down the rebellion,
as contrary to public policy and vetoed
it.
The other act which the veterans have
condemned especially was the order con-
corning the rebel flags. They raised an
outcry against it If they had not, it
would have been carried into effect.
That they were right and that the Pres
ident was wrong, he has himself been
obliged to admit. His letter counter
handing the order on the ground that
he had discovered, after the cutlery was
raised, that it was unlawful, is suffici-
ent justification of the veterans. But
all the same, the President resents their
interference by which he was prevented
from consummating an illegal act.
The Presidents letter has stirred up
a hot and diversified expression OF
opinion. The committee that took the
invitation to the President feel that their
labor has been in vain and are strong in
their Remuneration of the men who were
instrumental in the defeat of their plan.
Their friends are equally displeased es-
peciallv so as the citizens generally OF
St. Louis had made great effort to
induce the President to make the visit.
The chagrin was so great with many
that they wished to organize Immediate
" to invite the grand army to find
another place for their encampment'
and some promised very icy reception
to the gallant soldiers. There were
many others, however, who approved
Of the Presidents course and were
pleased that the city had been relieved
Of what promised to be an unpleasant
affair. Many feel that the city has been
Inundated and are indignant about it,
but agree that the Grand Army's en-
campment shall be glorious success
and that at some other time the Presl-
dent shall have reception in keeping
with the high office he holds.
In regard to this the citizens com
mittee determined to take immediate
steps and at ! o'clock this afternoon
assembled in the office of Mayor Francis
and discussed the situation. 1t was I'M
animously conceded to be an unfortunate
state of affairs, and steps were taken to
have the President invited to come at
another time For this purpose a com
mittee was appointed to draw up
resolutions to be submitted to mass
meetino Of citizens that will be called to
assemble at the Merchants exchange to-
morrow. These resolutions will embody
an invitation to the President to visit
the city during fair week early in
October, or at some other time that may
suit his convenience and will promise
him an enthusiastic reception. A citi
zens' comittee win then be appointed tC
aoain visit the President and cndeavol
to induce him to come.
No statement will at present be au
thorized at the White house from which
II can be determined whether or not The
decision of the President not to visit 1t
Louis includes the entire projected west
ern trip.